Drought or not, monarch butterflies are making their annual flutter-march south to Mexico. Even the bone-dry O.C. Fisher lake bed is not keeping them away.

The prime spot for these winged wanderers in West Texas is where the tallest pecan trees still survive in a bend of the Concho River.

Monarch — and great outdoors — enthusiasts will have the opportunity this weekend to enjoy the Flight of the Monarchs Trail Ride in San Angelo State Park. While the view from horseback is probably the best way to see the hilly desert park, there are numerous free activities planned for the nonriding public throughout the weekend.

"So many people do not know about the north side of the park," said Judy Hight, longtime participant and former director of Friends of San Angelo State Park. "It is absolutely gorgeous, and it belongs to all of us, through the taxes we pay."

The Flight of the Monarchs Trail Ride is the largest annual fundraiser for the organization, which supports park activities and improvements. The cost is $50 for the weekend, trail ride and chuck-wagon meals included. A one-day ride is $40, children younger than 12 are $30 and a 10 percent military discount also is offered.

With autumn weather arriving this week, the main concern is rain.

"The weather is a little iffy for this weekend," Hight said. "The weatherman said at most we'd have like an inch of rain, but it won't come all at one time. So the ride is on. We'll celebrate in the rain as long as it's not lightning, so I'm telling everyone to bring slickers or ponchos."

The main event this weekend will be the guided tour of the hidden place where the migrating monarchs rest. This camera safari is free and open to the public at 3 p.m. Saturday.

"It's in the arched pecan trees that shade the area," Hight said. "They hang in the trees, even if it rains. Early in the morning and late in the evening they try to seek an area out to rest. During the day they fly around and look for nectar. They like the honeydew, the sticky stuff on the pecan trees. They are hungry for nutrition so they can be fat little butterflies and make their way to Mexico."

Hight suggests people who aren't doing the trail ride come Saturday afternoon for the monarch tour and other events. Longhorn rides, buggy rides and a chuck-wagon dinner with music will be among the festivities.

"We'll have prizes, drawings and the auction," she said. "The meal includes the bluegrass concert. I'm sure people will then sit around and pick and grin, sing old cowboy tunes. So bring your guitar or fiddle and sing along with us around the campfire."